Noma Dumezweni: ‘Harry Potter play criticism stems from ignorance’

British stage star Noma Dumezweni has shrugged off criticism of her role in the new Harry Potter play, insisting fans unhappy with the casting of a black actress are ignorant and unimaginative.
The actress hit headlines last year (15) when she was cast as a grown-up version of Potter sidekick Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a West End stage play by creator J.K. Rowling set 19 years after the events depicted in the books and films.
Many fans were unhappy with Noma’s casting, but the actress received the backing of Rowling, who declared she “loves black Hermione,” and Emma Watson, who played the character in the movie franchise.
However, Noma is not letting the casting criticism upset her ahead of her Potter debut over the summer (16).
“It stems from ignorance. They (the upset fans) don’t want to be a part of the creative act. To say it’s not as it was intended is so unimaginative,” she tells the London Evening Standard. “I don’t think they understand how theatre works. We’re here to heal you, make you smile and whisk you away… The only question we should ask is ‘Are they (the actor) good?’ I’ve met great actors black and white and I’ve met bad actors black and white.”
The two-part production is due to open for previews on 7 June (16) at London’s Palace Theatre.